Don't you think that domestic chickens are universal animals? According to recent scientific evidence, they were domesticated approximately 3,500 years ago in what is now Thailand. Based on archaeological finds, they were originally kept as pets because they were considered sacred. Only then did people begin to eat their eggs, which are rich in protein and vitamins. Chickens are also raised as a source of nutritious meat. In poultry farms they are kept in numbers of thousands and sent for slaughter at the age of approximately 5–7 weeks. At this age, you can get maximum meat from each bird, and further maintenance is simply not profitable for the owners. How many years can chickens live if they are not killed for meat?
If it weren’t for people, chickens would live for decades. Photo: luckclub.ru
The answer to this seemingly simple question was given by the authors of the scientific publication IFL Science. To make it as detailed as possible, they touched on the origin of domestic chickens, as well as life expectancy in the wild and under human care.
Contents
- < li>1 How long do wild chickens live
- 2 How long do domestic chickens live
- 3 The oldest chickens in the world
- 4 What happens to old chickens
How long do wild chickens live
Scientists believe that domestic chickens appeared in nature about 10,000 years ago. They are descended from bank junglefowl (Gallus gallus), which live in the wild of Southeast Asia. Unlike domestic birds, wild birds are smaller in size. Their body length is about 66 centimeters, and their weight can reach 1.5 kilograms. Females are smaller than males and are covered with dull feathers of a brownish hue. And the males are large, with red-golden feathers and a noticeable comb – in general, they are very similar to ordinary domestic roosters.
Photo of a bank jungle fowl. Photo: Wikipedia, Red Junglefowl
They mainly live in the jungle, where there is a lot of dense vegetation. Despite the presence of a huge number of natural enemies,they live from 10 to 30 years.To a large extent, their long life is due to the fact that they often hide in trees and generally live secretly.
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How long do domestic chickens live
Information about the life expectancy of domestic chickens varies everywhere. Some sources say that they live 6–8 years, while others indicate a lifespan of 8–10 years. There is also information that some individuals can live up to 30 years, but there is no convincing evidence of this.
In many ways, the lifespan of domestic chickens depends on the conditions under which they are kept. First and foremost, they need good nutrition that includes grains, greens, protein and minerals. Aviaries with poultry must be spacious, because in cramped conditions they have a high risk of fatal injuries. Also, the lack of space increases their stress, and it has the same destructive effect on them as on people.
The lifespan of chickens largely depends on nutrition and environmental conditions. Photo source: mrhvost.com
In winter, chickens need even more care. In order for them to survive, it is necessary to insulate the chicken coop so that it is approximately +15 degrees. You also need to carefully cover all the cracks from which cold air can penetrate. In winter, birds need more food because they spend a lot of energy maintaining their body temperature. In addition to all this, animals really need sunlight, so the chicken coop should ideally be equipped with windows.
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The oldest chickens in the world
Among chickens, there are record holders for life expectancy. For example, the title “Oldest Chicken in the World” was given to a chicken named Matilda – she began participating in the performances of magician Keith Barton at the age of 14 and lived for another two years.
Matilda the dancing chicken on television. Source: YouTube
Another record holder was named Muffy. She lived 23 years and 152 days before dying in the United States in November 2011. It is believed to be the longest living chicken in history. The only competitor to her was the chicken Muffy, who lived for 21 years and 238 days and died on Christmas Day 2023.
Read also: Scientists have revealed which came first – the chicken or the egg
What happens to old chickens
Unfortunately, almost all chickens die at an early age because people need something to eat. When these birds grow old, they cease to be of any use. In particular, they begin to lay fewer eggs, and their meat becomes hard and tasteless. In general, birds become more susceptible to disease as they age, and it can take a lot of time and money to keep them healthy.
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If you want to expand your horizons, be sure to read other articles on our website. For example, we have excellent material about why roosters crow in the morning and how to determine the exact time of dawn. Also pay attention to the article “How dangerous are red and brown spots in chicken eggs,” which was very popular at one time.